Florida coach Jim McElwain hired Michigan offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier to the same position, UF announced Wednesday.
Nussmeier worked with McElwain at Michigan State from 2003-2005, serving as the team’s quarterbacks coach.
“I’m excited to reunite with Coach Mac -- we obviously have a long history and share similar philosophies,” Nussmeier said in a release. “I’m honored to join The Gator Nation and work for one of the most storied programs in all of college football.”
Nussmeier succeeded McElwain as Alabama’s offensive coordinator after McElwain became the head coach at Colorado State.
During his two years at Alabama (2012-2013), Nussmeier coached the 33rd- and 31st-ranked offenses in the countries. Both of those teams were also in the top 20 in scoring offense.
During the 2012 season in which the Crimson Tide won their most recent national championship, the Nussmeier-led Alabama offense racked up 68 total touchdowns.
His offense featured a 30-touchdown quarterback (AJ McCarron), two running backs with double-digit touchdowns (Eddie Lacy, 17; T.J. Yeldon, 12) and a wide receiver with double-digit touchdown catches (Amari Cooper, 11).
“Doug and I have worked together on the same staff and I’ve known him for years,” McElwain said in a release. “We are like thinkers in that he will adapt to the players we have in the program and develop them as we continue to evolve.”
Nussmeier's hire also means the end of Kurt Roper's time at Florida.
Roper was hired by Will Muschamp following the 2013 season in an attempt to bring an increased tempo to a Florida offense that had been lackluster during Muschamp's first three seasons at the helm.
But Roper couldn't get the offense to click in his lone season with the Gators.
Florida finished 11th in the Southeastern Conference and 94th in the country in total offense (370.2 yards per game). UF also finished 12th in the conference and 107th nationally in passing offense (180.7 yards per game.
The hire marks the second in as many weeks.
Florida hired Mississippi State defensive coordinator Geoff Collins to the same position on Dec. 16.
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UF athletics director Jeremy Foley listens as Jim McElwain gives his press conference on Dec. 6, 2014, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
